Cask ales, a fire and walks from the door: readers’ favourite winter pubs

Atlantic viewpoint, Cornwall

The Ship Inn in Porthleven is perfect for watching storms sweep in from the Atlantic and envelop its eye-catching clock tower, while you enjoy the fire and excellent bar. If the pub’s 17th-century walls could talk they would recount tales of smugglers and pirates and heroic lifeboat rescues. These days you might overhear surfers regaling each other with stories of heroic waves ridden on the reef. The fire keeps burning and the ale keeps flowing regardless.
Layla Astley

Rustic retreat, Dorset

After a stomp across the glorious Dorset countryside, relax at the Vine Inn, Pamphill, just north of Wimborne. This tiny pub is a rare unpretentious gem. Squeeze into either the small lounge or the cosy bar or climb the steep wooden stairs to the larger games room. A popular summer stop for cyclists, in winter it becomes a warm, intimate and authentic retreat from the modern world. The friendly landlady serves local real ale (Camra-recognised) and reasonably priced toasties and sandwiches are on the menu. Website? You must be joking …
Heather

Big-hearted micropub near Nottingham

The Dog & Parrot is a perfectly formed micropub in Eastwood where you will get a warm welcome, not just from the staff but from the regulars, whether they be of the two-legged or four-legged variety. It is the beating heart of the town; they are a base for the local branch of the British Legion, raising funds or enabling other charities/individuals to do the same. They support other local businesses and create a friendly, safe haven for their customers who they treat like friends. The rest rooms are a bit special too.
Jayne

The allure of Cotswold cosiness

The soft sandstone exterior and gentle golden glow of winter lights lured me into the lounge bar of the Lamb in Great Rissington last December. I had strayed from our Cotswold tour and its stop at Bourton-on-the-Water by striding out on a snowy winter walk. Inside, log fires seemed everywhere and the crannies and corners of the pub were full of locals more than happy to invite me over after I ordered my real ale pint and warming venison soup. The vibe was somewhere between a Miss Marple movie and a Game of Thrones set as the flickering flames cast light then darkness on us. We chatted and laughed our way through the early evening before I left the pub, almost reluctantly, to go back to the tour group hotel. I was sent on my way with a dozen or so hearty hugs, back slaps and wishes for a merry Christmas.
April

Ales and Dales, North Yorkshire

The Craven Arms and Cruck Barn in Appletreewick is the perfect pub to aim for when you’ve had a lovely walk along the River Wharfe from the old, attractive village of Burnsall. There’s always good, locally sourced food here and if you time it right, a fantastic beer festival with the additional delight of the architecture, which is a truly amazing cruck barn (a barn made from curved timber).
Elizabeth Leicester

The Mardale Inn is a community pub in Bampton, set amid gorgeous northern farmland, miles from the honeypot areas of the Lakes. In summer the Mardale welcomes Coast to Coast walkers, but in winter it shares its bargain dinner, bed and breakfast deals with us softies who want to sit in front of the log fire, eat amply, be looked after by the friendly staff and sleep in the comfy beds. I stayed there last week, it felt like a week’s relaxing holiday rolled into one cosy night.
Lynn Fotheringham

Talk of the town on the East Sussex shores

Known (lovingly) by regulars as the Doom and Gloom, the Horse and Groom is the oldest pub in St Leonards-on-Sea. It’s your favourite local’s favourite local: an eclectic range of odd interlocutors comprised of creative boho types and grumpy blokes (it’s a “talking” pub: no music), excellent local Sussex ales, knackered board games, decor untouched by time. In the cold months, friends whittle away the time here chatting or scrabbling; conducted best with a port sat near the open fire. Pints start well below £5 with Harvey’s on tap. The bracing seafront with its galleries and restaurants is minutes away on foot.
Elian

Fish curry and a pint, Flintshire

The White Horse is a beautiful historic whitewashed local in the tiny hillside village of Cilcain in north Wales’ hugely underrated Clwydian Range. The brooding Moel Famau looms across the valley, and the White Horse is best visited after the three-hour summit circular walk. Leave your walking boots outside, and settle in to genuine friendly service, excellent local ales and homemade Goan fish curry. The dart board provides hours of fun, and we walked the mile back along empty country lanes to our lodge complete with outdoor Japanese soaking bath at Trelan Farm, serenaded by owl hoots.
Matt Lunt

A warm hug of a pub, Dumfries and Galloway

The Anchor in Kippford on the Solway coast is a gloriously warm hug of a pub. An embracing tankard of seasonal good cheer with roaring fires and window views of the glimmering, mist-cloaked Urr Water. Crowd pleasing home cooked meals – easy on the pocket and served by friendly staff – are but one reason to visit. Local ales, fine wines and varied non-alcoholic selections make this glowing lamplit haven of a pub very difficult to leave.
Stewart Parsons

Winning tip: Follow the cobbles to the Baum, Rochdale

The Baum in Rochdale is the perfect pub to take shelter in winter. It’s tucked away on a quiet cobbled street (Toad Lane) with a great history – the co-operative movement began here. Inside, the warmly lit, wood-panelled rooms provide a cosy haven from the outside world. There’s a great choice of cask ales on tap and delicious, hearty pub food. If you want to earn your pint and pie, Hollingworth Lake, Marsden Moor and the hills of the Calder Valley provide many walk options nearby.
Charlotte